Richard Gould

[Sleepy1968]

Just now, Finley_Smith10 said:

A whole lot of nothing this interview 

It'd a bit difficult for the CEO to comment too much on footballing matters. It's all about the money, money, money. What I got so far: we aren't going to waste money on idiotic signings.

[Hampshire reds]

To be fair to Richard he has to be careful what he says on the managers position.

[Kingswood Robin]

2 minutes ago, CheddarReds said:

I hope your employers don't share you mindset if you ever have to have prolonged time off work for health reasons

As you asked, they treated me like shit. There was no "hope you want to come back".

[Sleepy1968]

1 minute ago, TonyTonyTony said:

Christ this is like being in a management meeting.

 

Don't expect anything else from an administrator. He's probably got more tactical nouse than was shown by those in charge on Saturday though ...

[One Team]

TBF at least he’s on the radio taking questions. 

[chinapig]

1 minute ago, Sleepy1968 said:

we aren't going to waste money on idiotic signings

So a change on the previous recruitment policy then?

[One Team]

Definitely no on Shakespeare then!

[CheddarReds]

1 minute ago, Kingswood Robin said:

As you asked, they treated me like shit. There was no "hope you want to come back".

I'm sorry to hear that. So, I'm sure you would want Nige, like anyone else, to be treated well by his employers.

[RedEd73]

Pressed again on Nige return. "Hopes" he will be back

The more Gould speaks, the less convinced I am that Nige will return irrespective as to whether the club want him to. 

[And Its Smith]

Asked again about Pearson coming back and Gould managed to sound even LESS convincing than 20 minutes ago !

[Kingswood Robin]

Just now, CheddarReds said:

I'm sorry to hear that. So, I'm sure you would want Nige, like anyone else, to be treated well by his employers.

Absolutely, but we have to be ready to draw a line in this particular business. 

[skinheadface]

Listening to this interview is making me really worried for the rest of this season.so unconvincing.

[SuperDziek]

Interesting that the club contacted Geoff 20p to volunteer for Gould to come on SOTC rather than the club being approached for someone to come on.

Timeframe uncertain but wonder if that has inconveniently crossed with developments in the Pearson role. With the result then that Gould is really hamstrung in what he can say. And couldn’t cancel the interview as would look defensive etc. 

[054123]

[headhunter]

9 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Guess they are giving him a bit of time to get his energy back 

How long would you say is acceptable for him to be away from day to day control?

[Mendip City]

3 minutes ago, headhunter said:

100% agree with this

In my opinion…. He’s gone. 

The cynic in me says this interview was arranged with the expectation of something far more concrete to say…. has someone turned us down??? (Apologies for the speculation overdrive). 
 

Literally the only firm statement is “no” to Shakespeare…. Surely short-term Shakespeare would be sensible if you expected Pearson back? 

[Mr Yoda]

Geoff did brilliantly again with the questions.....RG really unconvincing though, worrying times ahead.

[BasSavage88]

2 minutes ago, 054123 said:

Pretty much this. Pathetic interview 

[RedM]

3 minutes ago, Kingswood Robin said:

As you asked, they treated me like shit. There was no "hope you want to come back".

I am thinking that your situation, indeed most of our situations with our employers is very different. Nigel is contracted. Three years isn’t it?

[Red Army 75]

2 minutes ago, skinheadface said:

Listening to this interview is making me really worried for the rest of this season.so unconvincing.

You ******* know that. Give me a job 

[The Original OTIB]

3 minutes ago, Mendip City said:

In my opinion…. He’s gone. 

The cynic in me says this interview was arranged with the expectation of something far more concrete to say…. has someone turned us down??? (Apologies for the speculation overdrive). 
 

Literally the only firm statement is “no” to Shakespeare…. Surely short-term Shakespeare would be sensible if you expected Pearson back? 

Off to Watford.

[TonyTonyTony]

That was ropey as **** to be fair. Sounded like he was blagging it a bit tbh.

[P'head Red]

HNM to be offered new deal. Hope the lad was listening!

[Redrascal2]

11 minutes ago, RedEd73 said:

Will be active in the January transfer market

How do you work that out. Lansdown has pulled the plug on financial support for new signings at City and the Bears. I reckon we will have to get on with what we have.

[Rob k]

I don’t think NP will be back personally 

[054123]

Are you convinced that he would return to come back to mange the football club?

”I would very much hope so but we’re talking about a health issue here”

 

I’m not sat here with a tin foil hat, but something isn’t right is it?

[CodeRed]

9 minutes ago, One Team said:

TBF at least he’s on the radio taking questions. 

But not giving any answers

[Mendip City]

2 minutes ago, headhunter said:

How long would you say is acceptable for him to be away from day to day control?

This is a fair question.  In normal business, for a role as senior as this you’d replace him or get some sort of locum in (firm “no” to Shakespeare who would have been logical). 
If we don’t take action, then the danger is we rush NP back…. Not good for him or the club. 

[Simon bristol]

4 minutes ago, headhunter said:

How long would you say is acceptable for him to be away from day to day control?

My mrs has long covid and isnt well at all, but shes a teacher and they can be covered, with nige, no one is going to go easy on us because of his health, its much more cut throat

[brad blit]

1 minute ago, P'head Red said:

HNM to be offered new deal. Hope the lad was listening!

I think you’ll find he didn’t confirm that, merely said they “intended” to offer him a deal 

[Dunc]

4 minutes ago, Mendip City said:

In my opinion…. He’s gone. 

The cynic in me says this interview was arranged with the expectation of something far more concrete to say…. has someone turned us down??? (Apologies for the speculation overdrive). 
 

Literally the only firm statement is “no” to Shakespeare…. Surely short-term Shakespeare would be sensible if you expected Pearson back? 

That's how I read it. The emphatic no to Shakespeare strange given the obvious fit if you were planning around Nige staying. I assume they're planning for the alternative and looking at other candidates. Pity Wilder just went to Boro. I want Nige to continue (if he's fit and healthy enough to do so) but I wouldn't bet on it now

[Mendip City]

1 minute ago, Dunc said:

That's how I read it. The emphatic no to Shakespeare strange given the obvious fit if you were planning around Nige staying. I assume they're planning for the alternative and looking at other candidates. Pity Wilder just went to Boro. I want Nige to continue (if he's fit and healthy enough to do so) but I wouldn't bet on it now

I really wonder whether someone like Warnock has knocked us back. 

[Red Exile]

Car crash interview in my view. Seemed completely unprepared. Not much point in agreeing to do an interview with a chap like Geoff if you really have nothing to say.

Manager sick, no idea when he is coming back. Not doing anything to replace him except working hard or somesuch.

Lots of wishful thinking. All too cosy and complacent. 

Not a great deal more impressed by Gould than I was by Ashton to be honest...and that really is saying something!  

Good luck everybody!

[brad blit]

Started well but sounded very anxious not to give too much away near the end, and like most politicians didn’t give an honest straight answer on some important questions. Thought it was quite obvious we were lacking in forward players/striking options yet wouldn’t say about positions, and then said the answer to our problems layed in our u23s…… Worrying 

[Guest JakeBS3]

I think that Pearson's gone - if not, he would have said 'He will be back after the international break' 

 

I don't think the rumours today about him stepping back were completely unfounded. Something tells me that Pearson wanted to, and the club said 'see how you feel in a few weeks'

[Dunc]

3 minutes ago, Mendip City said:

I really wonder whether someone like Warnock has knocked us back. 

Does seem they were planning to announce more than they did. It may seem a little fantasy land, but if Nige has long Covid and off for the medium term, Colin to cover isn't totally outrageous 

[GrahamC]

Haven’t listened yet but if he has long Covid then he is going to be absent for a fair while.

Employment rights then preclude any sort of statement from Gould beyond the bland stuff quoted on here.

If this is the case it is a question of dealing with how he leaves, because realistically he won’t be back this year.

[Mendip City]

2 minutes ago, Dunc said:

Does seem they were planning to announce more than they did. It may seem a little fantasy land, but if Nige has long Covid and off for the medium term, Colin to cover isn't totally outrageous 

I agree. Wonder whether Nige wouldn’t agree to something like that. Warnock would be ok with it until the end of the season.  He’s all about short term challenges like that. 

[Banjo Red]

So correct me if I'm wrong has anyone seen this high energy exciting football yet?

Nige is ill unfortunately and we all wish him a speedy recovery personally. But for the club we need to be a bit selfish we need someone in at the helm 24/7 at the moment as things clearly aren't working on the training pitch.

Recruitment side of things working with what we got there won't be much cash to splash.

Richard Gould seems very good at his role but I'm not sure asking about the current playing situation to him is going to get us any answers anytime soon.

Short answer tough times ahead.

 

[Mendip City]

1 minute ago, GrahamC said:

Haven’t listened yet but if he has long Covid then he is going to be absent for a fair while.

Employment rights then preclude any sort of statement from Gould beyond the bland stuff quoted on here.

If this is the case it is a question of dealing with how he leaves, because realistically he won’t be back this year.

Spot on

[phantom]

8 minutes ago, Red Exile said:

Car crash interview in my view. Seemed completely unprepared. Not much point in agreeing to do an interview with a chap like Geoff if you really have nothing to say.

Manager sick, no idea when he is coming back. Not doing anything to replace him except working hard or somesuch.

Lots of wishful thinking. All too cosy and complacent. 

Not a great deal more impressed by Gould than I was by Ashton to be honest...and that really is saying something!  

Good luck everybody!

Agree completely, on the basis Gould requested to attend it was a complete non event, did not give a straight answer to any question

[Sleepy1968]

28 minutes ago, CheddarReds said:

I hope your employers don't share you mindset if you ever have to have prolonged time off work for health reasons

Some employer's policies are that if you have x non-holiday days off in 12 months - it's a disiplinary matter. Three separate absences in 12 months - disciplinary matter.

Edit: thinking about it, no sure 12 month time frame matters;

Edited November 8, 2021 by Sleepy1968

[TonyTonyTony]

Total waste of time to be fair. Jesus this club

[pl00peh91]

1 minute ago, phantom said:

Agree completely, on the basis Gould requested to attend it was a complete non event, did not give a straight answer to any question

He sounded like just as much of a spin doctor as Mark Ashton. I know that’s harsh and he has a good reputation on here but some of his answers were pathetic I thought.

Edited November 8, 2021 by pl00peh91

[BLRed]

Quite a bumbling interview tbh with nothing but responses of hope rather than a to the point plan of how things will be turned around. Doesn’t fill me with any faith for the rest of the season

[SuperDziek]

Just now, phantom said:

Agree completely, on the basis Gould requested to attend it was a complete non event, did not give a straight answer to any question

I didn’t catch when City/Gould approached Radio Brizzle - has it been mentioned? Just think developments have happened since it was agreed.

[pl00peh91]

2 minutes ago, BLRed said:

Quite a bumbling interview tbh with nothing but responses of hope rather than a to the point plan of how things will be turned around. Doesn’t fill me with any faith for the rest of the season

Come on mate they’re going to “work hard” - we are going to be fine  

[CodeRed]

Just listened to Gould on RB, deeply unimpressive. On Nige - no real idea if or when he's coming back, just we hope yada yada. Pressed on January - we would like to bring in targets but has to be value etc , difficult window etc, translation = we ain't spending any money.
The whole 20 minute phone interview was unimpressive, lots of we'd like to's and we hope to's but no firm plans to change or do anything other than work hard and hope we turn the corner

He did rule out Shakespeare though. ( Presumably on cost)

So the plan for the season is hope Nige gets better and turns it around with the existing players..... That hasn't worked so far!

Overall - unimpressed with RG. Lansdown still making all the decisions. Jon CGAF. Nige out for the foreseeable. L1 beckons

[RedRoss]

Geoff is great at asking the right questions regardless of how awkward they may be.

I think Gould said all he could say in his position. Nige is staying but currently off poorly until he's 100%, hopes results turn around with Fleming deputising in the meantime. Wasn't fully convincing with the way he said it but I guess he had to be selective with his words because ultimately football is results driven and if we lose 5 more in a row Nigel would be gone either way. Fair play to Gould for fronting up on the radio at the worst time so far.

 

 

[Rocky]

Very unimpressive interview as others have said. Did nothing to quell the concerns of the fan base. 

[DaveInSA]

I missed the first 5 minutes.

The most worrying thing he said was this:

"Of course, Steve and Jon are involved with the team"

TBH, I wouldn't want Steve and Jon anywhere near the team. Lock the doors of the HPC - quick!

[Top Robin]

16 minutes ago, Rob k said:

I don’t think NP will be back personally 

Yes..Gould was rather unsure when asked if he would be back and replied that we hope he will be back. That word takes the control away from them and makes Nige as the decision maker over all this.

I think the situation is ongoing and things are going on in the background that we are not party to.

 

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

5 minutes ago, CodeRed said:

Just listened to Gould on RB, deeply unimpressive. On Nige - no real idea if or when he's coming back, just we hope yada yada. Pressed on January - we would like to bring in targets but has to be value etc , difficult window etc, translation = we ain't spending any money.
The whole 20 minute phone interview was unimpressive, lots of we'd like to's and we hope to's but no firm plans to change or do anything other than work hard and hope we turn the corner

He did rule out Shakespeare though. ( Presumably on cost)

So the plan for the season is hope Nige gets better and turns it around with the existing players..... That hasn't worked so far!

Overall - unimpressed with RG. Lansdown still making all the decisions. Jon CGAF. Nige out for the foreseeable. L1 beckons

I thought he said there had been no contact with Craig that was it. 

[Bris Red]

I didn’t catch the interview but bugger me it doesn’t sound good does it. Genuinely think we will go down this season - gut feeling im sorry to say.

[YorksRed]

I don’t think he could say any more than he did in respect to Nigel coming back and it’s wrong to be giving him a hard time about that.  
 

Nigel has always struck me as a proud man who sets himself high standard and is straightforward and honest in how he conducts himself.  It could well be the case that he does want to come back (there’s nothing I’ve seen indicating that he’s not up for it) but will only do so if he is well enough (or believes he will be well enough long term) to do so to meet those standards and be at the level that he wants to be in his own performance. 
 

He’s the only one that can make that decision.

[phantom]

12 minutes ago, SuperDziek said:

I didn’t catch when City/Gould approached Radio Brizzle - has it been mentioned? Just think developments have happened since it was agreed.

Was the opening line from GT

[Kingswood Robin]

4 minutes ago, woodsyred said:

Listening to that sounded very much like a white flag being raised and I would think relegation will be a certainty unless we get somebody else in to coach and organise

If we were looking for some hope, it didn't come from that interview.

[Northern Red]

6 minutes ago, woodsyred said:

Listening to that sounded very much like a white flag being raised and I would think relegation will be a certainty unless we get somebody else in to coach and organise

You had us getting relegated when we were 3rd at Christmas a couple of years ago though, so that's not exactly a startling revelation.

[The Bard]

I despair sometimes.  The man volunteered to go on that and fielded a load of questions a lot of which were disingenuous  a lot of which he couldn't say anything and a lot of which isn't his place to answer (eg where do we need to strengthen).

 

It's called leadership. Fronting up when times are tough.

 

Ashton would've hid.

[WessexPest]

This just gets worse and worse. We are in limbo, then - a rudderless ship heading straight for the League One rocks.

Gould inspires about as much confidence as a Soviet biplane.

[phantom]

2 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

You had us getting relegated when we were 3rd at Christmas a couple of years ago though, so that's not exactly a startling revelation.

That's a cracking memory you have 

[Dunc]

Given the current situation I'm not sure what people were expecting to hear that would make them happy. Unless the club is decisive and either says "we're moving on from Nige whatever the legal / cost implications", or "we're staying with him long term, whatever the coaching implications", it's sensible to be non-committal, see who else is available / how Nige's health holds up. Reading between the lines I think Nige is done and they're looking to sort an alternative to be announced over the next week or two.

[RedEd73]

34 minutes ago, Redrascal2 said:

How do you work that out. Lansdown has pulled the plug on financial support for new signings at City and the Bears. I reckon we will have to get on with what we have.

That's what Gould said. Can't see it personally without selling assets first

[Better Red]

Just listened back to the interview.

There is no way Nige is coming back.

I would suggest from his answers he is  hardly speaking to him.

How could he not have not got any of the answers if he has spoken to him.

He is reacting to questions rather than stating the situation and that can only come from no knowing the answers.

Give it 2 weeks and I think we will get an announcement that says - left by mutual consent.

New manager - another internal no doubt to the summer to save money.

 

[SuperDziek]

9 minutes ago, phantom said:

Was the opening line from GT

Yeah, I wondered when the club approached Radio Brizzle though. Would be surprised if it was done today, for example. But if it was lined up a few days ago, a lot has probably changed in that time putting Gould in a difficult position, particularly if discussions are ongoing about Pearson exiting the club. 

[marmite]

My take for what its worth. No point in Shakespeare if Nige isn't going to be able to continue. We cant approach anyone else in case Nige does continue.  So basically we haven't got a clue what to do. Who will do the January window if Nige is still unwell and uncertain about returning?  Can things get much worse?  Of course they can, and probably will.

[RedRock]

29 minutes ago, Dunc said:

That's how I read it. The emphatic no to Shakespeare strange given the obvious fit if you were planning around Nige staying. I assume they're planning for the alternative and looking at other candidates. Pity Wilder just went to Boro. I want Nige to continue (if he's fit and healthy enough to do so) but I wouldn't bet on it now

Yep.
 

That was the only unambiguous answer of the entire interview and was, for me at least, the give-away response.

If the Club wanted to improve the playing situation with Nigel Pearson as manager, give a message to players, staff and supporters that he’s here for the long haul it wouldn’t have been such an abrupt ‘no’.

I fear he’s gone. We’re just playing the compensation game now and buying time for our search for a replacement. 
 

Hope Nige recovers soon. He did his best to sort this soft load of s**te out but doomed to fail. Pity, I was looking forward to a team with at least some identity and passion. 
 

We really are a basket-case of a Club. 
 

 

 

[Roger Red Hat]

11 minutes ago, WessexPest said:

We are in limbo, then

I think you're right, and I thought Richard was a bit on the evasive side!

[REDOXO]

The only positive from the interview I took was that at least someone said something to a reporter from the inner circle

The rest was blah work harder, blah teams try and stop you, blah we need Nigel’s energy, blah, blah, blah!

what most of us were looking for was something a bit decisive….this is where we are, this is where we are going! But nope!

I am getting more and more of the opinion that SL is talking with one or more buyers for Bristol Sport as yet again this feels like a quiet period. Any word from any of the Lansdown’s could jeopardize further discussions. Thus throwing up someone with plausible deniability if the question was asked (it was not) was the best solution. 

[Lack of Action Man]

54 minutes ago, 054123 said:

This is such an accurate representation of that car crash of an interview

My take on it - Gould is a lot less nauseating and grating than MA, he pretty much used the same excuses/diversion techniques to evade the pressing question from 20pence (who, to his credit, did keep trying to press Gould for an answer on Nigel's "absence").

It seemed totally barmy to me that the only concrete answer Gould gave was to categorically rule out Craig Shakespeare, which seems like total madness given out current situation (unless we really are up shit creek without a 'financial' paddle).

Edited November 8, 2021 by OddBallJim
Further thoughts.